Hilton Worldwide Honors Top Hotel Owners in the Americas

August 27, 2015 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton
Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced honors for its top annual
development awards in the Americas. Awards are presented in five
categories across the company’s portfolio of hotels, including:
Developer of the Year, Best Conversion, Deal of the Year, Outstanding
Achievement and Lifetime Achievement. Recipients are recognized based on
criteria ranging from total number and quality of hotels developed to
impact on community and fastest construction time. Once nominated, the
finalists are chosen by Hilton Worldwide’s global brand heads.

“We are proud to celebrate the achievements of these valued Hilton
Worldwide partners with whom we have developed strong relationships that
have allowed us to expand our footprint not only in Americas, but
globally,” said Matt Wehling, senior vice president, development – U.S.
and Canada, Hilton Worldwide. “The growth and success of our portfolio
of brands can be attributed to our dedicated owners who share innovative
vision and leadership, service-oriented culture, exceptional management
skills, and committed values.”

A Lifetime Achievement Award is given each year to a developer based on
the commitment to his or her quality of projects, impact on local
community, significant work in the development arena over a minimum of
20 years, as well as loyalty to the Hilton family of brands.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Stephen L. Schwartz,
chairman of First Hospitality Group, a leading developer, owner and
operator of quality hotels in the Midwest since 1984.

“We couldn’t be happier to honor Steve and his entire team at First
Hospitality Group with the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Wehling.
“Our relationship with Steve started more than 30 years ago, back in the
Promus days of our company’s history, and since then we’ve cultivated an
invaluable partnership that helps bring our brands to life at his 20
Hilton Worldwide properties. We wish to congratulate him on this
achievement.”

Each full service and focused service brand within the Hilton Worldwide
portfolio of 12 market leading brands honors a Developer of the Year.
Developer of the Year winners are chosen based on the number of deals
approved and a combination of new projects and quality of projects that
meets or exceeds brand standards. The awards for 2014 include:

Deal of the Year award winners are chosen based on the most
creative process used to seal the deal against insurmountable obstacles,
location and impact on community, unique look and feel of the hotel, as
well as the size and scope of the project.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company,
spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and
resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 96
years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition
of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of
twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than
4,440 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare
properties, with more than 730,000 rooms in 97 countries and
territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels &
Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio – A Collection
by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden
Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by
Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an
award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors
members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access
to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital
amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading
Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their
room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for
more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, twitter.com/hiltonworldwide,
youtube.com/hiltonworldwide,
flickr.com/hiltonworldwide,
and linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.